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Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper)

Rocky Mountain Juniper, Rocky Mountain Red Cedar, Mountain Red Cedar, Colorado Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar, River Juniper, Western Juniper, Cedro Rojo, Juniperus scopulorum var. columnaris, Juniperus virginiana ssp. scopulorum, Juniperus virginiana var. montana, Juniperus virginiana var. scopulorum, Sabina scopulorum

Juniperus scopulorum, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Rocky Mountain Red Cedar, Mountain Red Cedar, Colorado Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar, River Juniper, Western Juniper, Cedro Rojo, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Juniperus scopulorum, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Rocky Mountain Red Cedar, Mountain Red Cedar, Colorado Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar, River Juniper, Western Juniper, Cedro Rojo, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree

Architectural, Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) is a slow-growing, narrow to broadly pyramidal evergreen conifer with aromatic, blue-green to dark green, scale-like foliage that lies flat against the branches. The reddish-brown bark is furrowed into strips or squares and peels on the branches. The tree bears round, fleshy, dark-blue, berry-like cones, covered with a white, waxy bloom. Many wildlife species feast on juniper berries. Excellent for wildlife gardens, this conifer provides good nesting, cover, and seeds for small mammals. It also attracts Cedar Waxwings, Northern Mockingbird, Evening Grosbeak, and many other species. Rocky Mountain Juniper is a graceful ornamental and is ideal for providing a year-round structure. It is useful as a privacy screen or specimen and is also a popular collected tree for bonsai. Drought, salt spray, erosion, and air pollution tolerant, it does not perform well in wet soils, high humidity, or high night temperatures. It is also intolerant to ice. Native to western North America, Rocky Mountain Juniper is long-lived (250-300 years) and is the parent of many garden cultivars.

  • Grows up to 30-40 ft. tall (9-12 m) and 3-15 ft. wide (1-4.5 m).
  • Performs best in full sun in any, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils including dry, rocky soils.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or for city gardens since Rocky Mountain Juniper is tolerant of pollution.
  • Low maintenance, no pruning required.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids, juniper scale, and caterpillars. Deer tolerant.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Foliage may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Native to western North America, from southwest Canada to the Great Plains of the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Juniperus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 30' - 40'
(9m - 12m)
Spread 3' - 15'
(90cm - 4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Midwest, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southwest, Texas, United States, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Juniperus virginiana,Cedar Oil Tree 'Canaertii', Eastern Red Cedar 'Canaertii', Pencil Cedar 'Canaertii', Red Cedar 'Canaertii', Virginia Cedar 'Canaertii', Virginia Juniper 'Canaertii', Red Juniper 'Canaertii', Carolina Cedar 'Canaertii', Red Savin 'Canaertii', Baton Rouge 'Canaertii', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Juniperus scopulorum 'Wichita Blue', Rocky Mountain Juniper 'Wichita Blue', Rocky Mountain Red Cedar 'Wichita Blue', Mountain Red Cedar 'Wichita Blue', Colorado Red Cedar 'Wichita Blue', Western Red Cedar 'Wichita Blue', River Juniper 'Wichita Blue', Western Juniper 'Wichita Blue', Cedro Rojo 'Wichita Blue', Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Juniperus × pfitzeriana 'Saybrook Gold',Chinese Juniper 'Saybrook Gold', Juniperus chinensis 'Saybrook Gold', Evergreen Shrub, Yellow Shrub
Juniperus communis, Common Juniper, Juniper, Juniperus intermedia, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Juniperus horizontalis, Creeping Juniper, Creeping Savin, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Juniperus virginiana 'Glauca', Silver Eastern Red Cedar 'Glauca', Cedar Oil Tree, Eastern Red Cedar, Pencil Cedar, Red Cedar, Virginia Cedar, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree

Recommended Companion Plants

Acanthus hungaricus, Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Long-Leaved Bear's Breech, Long-Leaved Bear's Breeches, Shade Plants, Perennial Plants, Shade Perennials
Achillea Millefolium 'Terracotta', Achillea 'Terracotta', 'Terracotta' Yarrow, Common Yarrow, Milfoil, Carpenter's Weed, Achillea Millefolium, yarrow plant, yarrow flower, summer perennial, drought tolerant perennial, orange flowers, yellow flowers
Alchemilla Mollis, Lady's mantle, AGM perennial, deer tolerant plants, rabbits tolerant plants, award winning perennialAGM Award
Stipa Tenuissima, Mexican Feather Grass, Nassella Tenuissima, Texas Needle Grass, Nassella Tenuissima, Nassella Tenuissima 'Pony Tails', Stipa Tenuifolia , Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'AGM Award
Pinus ponderosa, Ponderosa Pine, Trucker Pine, Western Yellow Pine, Evergreen Conifer, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree,
Pseudotsuga menziesii, Douglas Fir, Blue Douglas Fir, Green Douglas Fir, Oregon Pine, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Juniperus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 30' - 40'
(9m - 12m)
Spread 3' - 15'
(90cm - 4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Midwest, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southwest, Texas, United States, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
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